REACHING OUT AT THE SHI'ITE FEAST OF AL-ARBA'EEN

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 001334 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/09/2006 TAGS: EAID KISL PGOV PREL SOCI IZ SUBJECT: REACHING OUT AT THE SHI'ITE FEAST OF AL-ARBA'EEN Classified By: DCM Frank C. Urbancic, reason: 1.5 (A) and (D) ¶1. (U) This is an action cable. Please see paragraph 5. ¶2. (C) Both the people and the Government of Kuwait support U.S. actions in Iraq very strongly. Even here, however, the constant drumbeat in the Arabic press of U.S. anti-Muslim intent is having an effect. In recent conversations worried Kuwaitis have engaged the Ambassador on ways that this negative image might be dispelled. ¶3. (C) The Kuwaitis argue that it will be important for the United States, as it consolidates control of the southern part of Iraq, particularly to show deference and reverence for the Shi'ite shrines which are located in Najaf and Karbala. Our interlocutors suggest and Embassy agrees that the Shi'ite high holiday of al-Arba'een on or about April 22 presents a real opportunity for the United States to show its respect for Muslims while also providing a boost to the local economy. Every year on the Feast of al-Arba'een these shrines routinely distribute food to the poor to help them celebrate. It is both a religious gesture and a form of aid to the poor. It is greatly appreciated by the recipients and it is also viewed as a religious obligation. While rich in symbolism, this food is not expensive, it consists primarily of cooked lamb and rice with various spices, delivered to poor families on large trays. ¶4. (C) Embassy recommends that this year the United States, via the U.S. military and/or ORHA, contribute lamb and rice for the poor on the al-Arba'een holiday. Working with contacts inside the country, the United States could purchase large numbers of sheep, contract with Halal butchers to slaughter them, provide rice and other spices to local cooks and have the food delivered on trays to the mosques for distribution. This would be a relatively simple procedure, but we believe it would have a high impact value inside Iraq at the grass roots level where we want to make the greatest impression. It would also have a high international recognition factor, particularly in the Muslim world. From contacts here we believe that probably each tray of food would cost no more than $20 on the local economy. Although we would want to consult with religious leaders to be sure, we suppose 2000 trays would be about the maximum we could provide to the two mosques for distribution. The program could be repeated on a smaller scale in other towns with a US-presence in cooperation with local religious leaders. All told, an outlay of perhaps as little as USD 50,000 would have tremendous political impact while injecting significant liquidity into rural communities. ¶5. (U) Action Request: Such a program would be worth its weight in gold. We commend this idea to Washington for consideration and action. JONES